How to Design Historic Store Fronts

Research the building's original appearance. Period pictures and original architect's specifications will provide clues to the storefront's initial look.

Examine nearby buildings for clues to the storefront's original design or place in the overall street scape. A unique building will allow the designer more flexibility in design, while a unified neighborhood look will require the designer to adapt his design to the overall effect. The storefront should be compatible with neighboring buildings in design, scale, materials and color. However, the National Park Service suggests that designers not copy details or features or use conjectural designs based on similar buildings in the local area because this "may give the building a historical appearance which blends in with its neighbors but which never, in fact, existed." The service recommends that designers "undertake a contemporary design that retains the commercial 'flavor' of the building. The new storefront design should not draw attention away from the historic building with its detailing but rather should respect the existing historic character of the overall building."

Evaluate the storefront in relation to the building as a whole. Consider the use of different construction materials on the upper floors and whether the building's appearance unites the storefront and upper floors, or if they appear distinct and unrelated. As with the neighborhood look, the storefront design should coordinate with the entire building, but may require a cornice---or ornamental molding---to maintain a horizontal separation between the lower and upper stories.

Understand the general architectural trends of the store's original time period. Use only those design elements and materials available at that time. For example, incorporate architectural cast iron only on buildings built after the 1840s, and avoid using vinyl, aluminum siding, mirrored glass or brick veneer in any historical storefront.

Evaluate changes to the storefront made over time. Retain changes that add character to the store. As the National Parks Service states, "the storefront design is a good example of its period and if it has gained significance over time, it should be retained as part of the historical evolution of the building." Remove any changes that alter the store's character or that have added non-period or non-appropriate architectural elements or materials.

Review local codes and ordinances for historical areas and create the storefront design to meet these requirements. For example, Salisbury requires all storefronts to use large panes of glass. Building designers in that town may not use windows with small panes of glass, even if appropriate for an individual store.

Make any necessary repairs to the store and storefront. Consult a professional if the storefront requires more than minimal repairs, and attempt to use period-appropriate materials or match modern materials to the original ones as much as possible. Paint only those surfaces that have been painted in the past, and use only period-appropriate colors.